Smiling: meaning, definitions and examples

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smiling

[ ˈsmaɪlɪŋ ]

Adjective / Noun

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

facial expression

Showing or expressing happiness, pleasure, or amusement with a smile on one's face.

Synonyms

beaming, cheerful, grinning, smirking.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
smiling	A general and positive expression of pleasure or happiness suitable for any occasion. She was smiling at the compliment / The baby was smiling for the first time
grinning	A broad smile, often showing teeth, usually indicates amusement or friendliness. He was grinning from ear to ear after hearing the good news / The kids were grinning while playing in the park
beaming	Used when someone is radiating happiness or pride; often in special events or achievements. He was beaming with pride after receiving the award / The parents were beaming at their child's graduation
smirking	A type of smile that can convey self-satisfaction, smugness, or even mockery. It often has a negative connotation. She was smirking when she heard about her rival's failure / He couldn't stop smirking during the whole debate
cheerful	Indicates a joyful and positive mood. It's more about the overall mood, not just the smile. She had a cheerful disposition that brightened everyone's day / His cheerful greeting made everyone feel welcome

Examples of usage

She was smiling as she opened the present.
The baby's smiling face brightened up the room.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

facial expression

A pleased, kind, or amused facial expression, typically with the corners of the mouth turned up and the front teeth exposed.

Synonyms

beam, grin, smile, smirk.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
smiling	A general and neutral term referring to the act of showing happiness or friendliness through a facial expression. She was smiling as she received her diploma
grin	Suggests a broad, often excited or slightly mischievous smile. It can sometimes imply a less formal or more playful expression. She grinned from ear to ear after hearing the good news
beam	Implies a very wide, enthusiastic smile, often associated with joy or pride. He beamed with pride when his son scored the winning goal
smirk	Typically indicates a self-satisfied, smug, or slightly mocking smile. It often carries a negative connotation. He couldn't help but smirk when he finally outwitted his rival
smile	A neutral and versatile term for expressing happiness or friendliness by curving the lips upwards. He gave a warm smile to his new neighbors

Examples of usage

Her smile was contagious and made everyone around her feel better.
He greeted me with a warm smile.

Translations

Translations of the word "smiling" in other languages:

🇵🇹 sorrindo

🇮🇳 मुस्कुराते हुए

🇩🇪 lächelnd

🇮🇩 tersenyum

🇺🇦 усміхаючись

🇵🇱 uśmiechając się

🇯🇵 微笑んでいる

🇫🇷 souriant

🇪🇸 sonriendo

🇹🇷 gülümseyen

🇰🇷 미소 짓는

🇸🇦 يبتسم

🇨🇿 usmívající se

🇸🇰 usmievajúci sa

🇨🇳 微笑的

🇸🇮 nasmejan

🇮🇸 brosandi

🇰🇿 күлімсіреп тұрған

🇬🇪 ღიმილიანი

🇦🇿 gülümsəyən

🇲🇽 sonriendo

Etymology

The word 'smile' originated from the Old English word 'smyl' which means a gentle drawing up of the corners of the mouth. Throughout history, a smile has been recognized as a universal expression of joy, happiness, and friendliness. In different cultures, the significance and interpretation of a smile may vary, but its positive connotations remain constant across various societies.

Word Frequency Rank

At #5,021 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.

...
5018 intentions
5019 tenants
5020 unreasonable
5021 smiling
5022 synthetic
5023 incomplete
5024 sensible
...